OBJECTIVE: To identify the educational needs in family health of the preterm newborn. METHODS: An integrated literature review approach, with searches in the PubMED and Literature in Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences databases, between 1999 and 2011, and with the use of descriptors (premature, neonatal nursing, nursing care and hospital discharge), in English, Spanish and Portuguese. RESULTS: The ten selected studies were categorized into three themes: participation in child care, the preparation for hospital discharge, and use of educational material. Most activities in health education were directed at mothers and were related to basic daily care and, also, beginning participation in these activities in order to promote bonding and enhancing their confidence with care. CONCLUSION: We observed the need to elaborate strategies, based in active learning methodologies, aided by educational materials that facilitate the inclusion of parents in the neonatal unit, and in caring for their child.
Health education; Family; Neonatal nursing; Patient discharge; Nursing care; Infant, premature
